Princeton police arrest man who escaped arrest twice

PRINCETON — A Newark man who managed to elude two New Jersey police departments in a single day was arrested after being on the run for 10 days.

On Jan. 7 at 2:00 a.m., Princeton police Officer Chris King pulled over a black Land Rover on State Road for speeding. Once stopped, the officer learned that had stolen license plates and a altered vehicle identification number indicating that the vehicle may have been stolen. Before the officer could identify and arrest the driver, the driver sped of down Cherry Hill Road at speeds exceeding 80 mph. Police deemed it too dangerous and canceled its pursuit of the suspect.

Later that day, the same Land Rover was spotted in Somerset County on Route 78 by Bridgewater Township Police, but the driver successfully eluded police again, this time fleeing toward Newark. Princeton Detective Ben Gering was able to identify the driver as Henry Belford, 19, of Newark, following the second encounter with police with assistance from Newark police.

A warrant was put out for Belford’s arrest and on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Gering, Det. Travis Allie and Newark Police arrested Belford on Cedar Ave. He has been charged with eluding, hindering apprehension, receiving stolen property, possession of altered motor vehicle parts.